The charbroiled meats on rice noodles are excellent, even better with the spring roll. The service is good too. A great place to eat!
(5)
Stevchipmunk C.
Le Saigon is... meh (exactly as Yelp says 2 stars denotes). When we went there for dinner tonight, there were just 3 other customers in the restaurant. By the time we ordered, they had all left and no one came in by the time we finished at 8:30 pm. The tall man who was the only person on the service side of the restaurant acts as if customer service is not that important. The ambiance is very ordinary. The food -- which is the best part of the whole dining experience at Le Saigon -- is... very ordinary, and the portions are noteworthily small. And the prices are way, way too high for what you get. Overall, I can't imagine why I would ever going back there again.
(2)
N. L.
Horrible service with bad food. The waiter, I suspect owner, told me they don't have hot water when I didn't order tea and asked for hot water. Really? Customers next table were madder than us! We finished the meal eating fake Vietnamese food bc we were in a hurry to go somewhere. Very unwise decision. Don't bother! Totally not worth it!
(1)
Elsa E.
This was hands down the worst place ever. The food was tasteless, not authentic or fresh and just downright disgusting. Service was okay, but overall, I felt like I wasted money on food that made me sick to my stomach. I thought I was going to vomit on the way ride home because I could still taste the grossness in my mouth. I thought this would be my go-to place for Vietnamese good but definitely NOT. No thanks ever again!
(1)
Holly A.
Well i guess its a good thing, there isn't a lot of competition on the mainline for vietnamese food because if there were - they would be in trouble. After reading the reviews, we decided to give this place a try. I grew up eating vietnamese food - so I know good, bad, and fair. SO far we ordered the beef and pork vermicelli. What can I say - super bland, barely any veggies - too many noodles. I don't have much incentive to go back. You can always tell if a vietnamese place is good by their vermicelli and their Pho Broth. But after this, I don't think i want to try it - I'll just make the drive to Upper Darby or the city. However it is a cute place.
(3)
Karen F.
A solid 3 stars, maybe even 4 - food is very basic (possibly a little bland) but the spring rolls and bun were tasty and the traditional Vietnamese Coffee hit the spot on a cold day. grilled Lamb over bun was succulent and tasty - albeit a small portion and $12.95. Quick service got me in & out even on a busy Thursday lunch rush. Nearly every table was full - and this after years of being open is a great sign. Prices are higher than in Philly (Chinatown, Vietnam,m Vietnam Palace, Pho Cali) but considering where we are - I am beyond thrilled to have a non-pizza lunch alternative. Can't wait to go back and try the sumer rolls.
(3)
Shannon A.
I've been to far too many Vietnamese restaurants to not know the difference between a good pho and bad. I guess I will admit that this is slightly bordering on the bad side. The pho tasted so bland that I got concerned whether I was actually having a cold that I was losing my taste buds. It was after checking out the reviews here that my fears were relieved. I didn't have the flu. They just had didn't have very good Pho. I did like their vermicelli, so I'm not all that disappointed. But then when you put a hefty price tag on top of a less than mediocre experience, you're sort of asking for trouble.
(3)
Allison F.
This has been my favorite restaurant for years. Their spring rolls are amazing! I have never tried the Pho which have negative reviews on here. Their vermicelli dishes are something I look forward too. Surprised at the negative reviews.
(5)
Gray S.
Came with my kids and a friend, my children were so thirsty. It took over 10 minutes for water, had it been sooner they would have been more content. The owner/ server neglected us and acted as though we did not exist. I'm appalled, having come alone with a different experience service wise . The choices for Vietnamese in the area are slim. My children are US born Vietnamese-American and love the ethnic food. I'm not sure if it was the kids or a male friend who he made stereotypical assumptions regarding. Needless to say now both times the Pho was unimpressive and the rest kind of followed. I will not be back. Shame, because it's close.
(1)
Marlen K.
In the burbs of Philly this is as good as you can get to a cross between Vietnam and France. Their tofu eggplant is the best in the area.
(4)
Rosalie R.
We went there for pho. The broth was very bland and the garnish plate did not include any of the fresh cilantro or Thai basil. Sigh. Still schlepping to center city for good soup...
(2)
Carol J.
Had lunch today - the absolutely worst pad thai I have ever had!! Primarily noodles, minimal vegetables, sprouts, peanuts non-existent and the service was very poor - definitely will not be returning!!!
(1)
J T.
I like this place. Good food and good service. I usually get the spring rolls, the pho, the whole fish on special, or the bahn mi or the pu pu platter. Everything is good. I would say it is too quiet in there. they should have some background music going. even filled, it's just way too quiet. Wish they would add some more items to their menu, it's been the same for a long time. One time they missed something on a take out order and the manager drove it right to my house and apologized. So service in my opinion is good.
(4)
Richie F.
Food - 4+ Prices - 4+ Service - 4 Ambience - 3 Le Saigon offers high-quality, authentic Vietnamese cuisine with reasonable prices and good service. Located in a shopping center on Route 30 in Paoli, they've been in business for many years and seem to have a loyal local customer base. They do a brisk takeout business as well as a steady lunchtime crowd. Fresh ingredients and a quiet (perhaps too quiet), friendly setting make for a relaxed meal that won't set you back too much. BYOB is fine. I have tried several things on their menu, but favorites are Pad Thai with Chicken and Chicken with Lemon Grass. Nice selection of appetizers, too. I see some other diners have complained about the food being "bland", but if you ask, the owner is more than happy to accommodate any special requests for amping up the spices or adding ingredients that you may have in mind. Haven't had their pho and I know fellow Yelpers give that mixed reviews, so my overall 4-star rating is based on my experiences over the last several years with their classic menu items.
(4)
Jackie D.
Looking for a good pho place a little closer to home, I gave this place two tries. Both times, the broth brought to mind the word "dishwater". Needless to say, I will not be returning.
I've been here twice for lunch and really like their rice vermicelli special w lemon grass. It's great summer fare at a good price for the area. Service was fine and they have a nice menu. I liked it better than other local Vietnamese restaurants.
(4)
Amina F.
Had a great lunch at Le Saigon. Tasty Pho, grilled beef with lemongrass and a nice strong and sweet Vietnamese iced tea. Nice quiet atmosphere, a clean and cozy restaurant!
(4)
Steve S.
There should be additional Yelp designations, such as "It's good for a strip mall on the Main Line" or "It's good enough for Downtown Philadelphia". Believe me, it would set the proper expectations. You have to come here with your "strip mall on the Main Line" set of expectations, however you choose those expectations to be. I've seen complaints here about the prices. I decided to go for a chicken curry lunch special for $7.95 which may not be the most authentic thing on the menu, but it's the most reasonable, which really means it's just overpriced by $2. Flavor-wise it was good. The curry had a nice kick. The portions were just right. The chicken noodle soup was just good enough to not be totally bland. I did enjoy the iced coffee splurge I took on at the end. Good coffee kick in that drink, and at $3.50, again, it was overpriced by about $2. I wouldn't tell you to go out of your way for this place, but it's good enough for a change of pace.
(3)
Samantha A.
Great find!! The food was really good and fresh! The sweet and sour fish soup reminded me of mom's :) the green papaya salad was to die for! Hubby loved the lemongrass chicken vermicelli bowl! Can't wait to try the dessert!
(5)
Leon B.
Really good red curry chicken, perfect amount of spice. Very cozy place friendly staff
(4)
Dave H.
Le Saigon is a quality Vietnamese BYOB on the Main Line. (Not into Vietnamese cuisine? Try their Thai dishes.) Their dining room is comfortable, well-decorated, and has decent seating, so don't be afraid to bring friends. Ha, our server, took our orders with a minimum of fuss - less than 10 minutes later, she brought out our food! Talk about speedy. I had their charbroiled pork on steamed rice (C2 on the menu, com thit nuong; $7.95). The serving was smaller than I expected, and the fish sauce a bit tart, but the tender, delicious pork left me satisfied. Rice was cooked right, and the side of pickles was perfect. Le Saigon provides fast, friendly service, an even faster kitchen, and prices that won't break the bank. If you're out in the suburbs, stop in!
(4)
Jerrell A.
I really enjoy the food here. The prices weren't too bad for fresh food. If you are addicted to pho, like me, please give this place a try. The broth was so flavorful that I did not need the usual array of sauces (which this place does lack). My only complaint is the location as I am not a fan of strip mall joints. Great chicken wings, outstanding Spring and Summer rolls, plus a damn good jasmine tea. It's worth a visit if you're in the area and would like to try something new.
(4)
Kevin P.
I was disappointed with the food quality. I've been here twice and realized that the dishes were not authentic Vietnamese. The Pho flavor was wrong. The other rice dishes were more like Thai. Many of the appetizers were more Chinese-influenced. Overall, I didn't like it...
(2)
Ronnie D.
Excellent value, flavorful but not overly seasoned, light fare as well, good service, high quality fare which is rare for a reasonably priced asian/fusion place in this area.
(5)
Percy N.
After reading the other reviews, I had a little trepidation but had a good experience here. There aren't too many places serving Vietnamese cuisine around the main line. The vermicelli bowl came with a spring roll and both were delicious. I decided to go with a fusion dish of spicy shrimp lemongrass soup with vermicelli noodles. Shrimp portion was generous and were perfectly cooked. Some reviewers complain about the price, but the place I usually go to in Norristown charges even more. $8-$10 for a lunch menu is about what one would expect to pay. And what made me give them an additional star is the fact that they are the only place outside Philly where I can get a Banh-mi. Most bahn-mi were $6.95 Wish the Vietnamese coffee came with the authentic coffee filter and a small pot of hot water. Next time will try one of their desserts.
(4)
Vin D.
Big Fan here. Great Pho and other spicy soups. Clean and good service as well.
(4)
Danan R.
They finally have pho! But I was in a charbroiled pork chop mood. The pork was very tender and moist although the seasoning is a bt different from nam phuong's. The broken rice was perfect and the meatball skewers app was great. Prices reflect the area so although they might be high for Philadelphia, they are actually relatively low for the main line. About $8 for platters, $6 for banh mi, ad $10+ for entrees.
(3)
Brian R.
I was surprised to find this place in a strip mall, but the inside is actually quite nice. Come to think of it, this place is one of the nicer looking Viet restaurants I've ever been to. Foodwise, I enjoyed the Bun Thit Nuong. Portions were city sized (on the smaller side), sauce was decent, and the noodles were tasty.
(3)
Kim N.
I have high expectations since I grew up eating home-cooked Vietnamese food and for the past few months, I've been living in Hanoi. I was in the mood for a bowl of pho and my dad didn't want to stop off in Chinatown after picking me up from the airport, so we opted to stop here since it was close to their house. I got a bowl of the rare beef and meatball pho to go while my dad opted to try their asparagus and crab soup. Total for the two items, $16. Yikes! (A bowl of pho in Hanoi is about $1; a bowl of pho in D.C. is $6 - $8. They were charging $10 for theirs) The broth was okay, a tad salty, but when I added bean sprouts to the broth, it evened out. The broth lacked the subtle aromatic flavor that I'm accustomed to in a bowl of pho. The noodles were a bit chewy, and the meat was a bit on the tough side.
(2)
David K.
I had an appointment in Paoli and felt like Vietnamese for lunch and found Le Saigon in the Paoli Shopping Center. It wasn't so great. First, it was amazing how strange the service was during lunch. When I arrived, I was one of two tables. I sat myself after being ignored for 30 seconds. I asked the waiter what was a "Must try" dish and he responded "Take your time, I'll be back soon." OK!?? Later, my server disappeared and I flagged down the owner to order another dish and later to pay my bill. After he left my bill, I waited 5+ minutes for him to collect it and ultimately went to the register to hand it to him. Keep in mind that the restaurant was practically empty. I ordered the Grilled Chicken and Springroll Rice Vermicelli bowl. Total disappointment, especially after trying this exact dish at Pho and Beyond in Willow Grove (the infamous #38 dish). The portion was about half the size of the one from Willow Grove. Aside from the vermicelli noodles and the promised chicken and spring roll, it was sparse on all other ingredients. What makes this dish so great at Pho and Beyond in Willow Grove is the generous amounts of fresh herbs, nuts, sprouts, thinly-curled veggies, a good amount of lettuce and a lot more meat. For the patron who can't decide between hot and cold or salad vs. rice noodle dish, #38 from Pho and Beyond satisfies everyone. Because my first dish was so un-filling, I ordered Snow Rolls. Snow Rolls, often called summer rolls at other Vietnamese restaurants, are the quintessential (US) Vietnamese appetizer. These were pretty darn bad. Wrapped in the softened rice wrapper was 99% vermicelli noodles, a super-thin piece of shrimp, two shreds of lettuce and a curious squirt of something brown (soy sauce?). The peanut dipping sauce was good. I really wanted these rolls to be something other than the previous dish and unfortunately it was just a ton of vermicelli noodles. I got burned out on eating wrapped, white noodles and didn't finish my dish. It shocked me to see so many awards and recognitions on their walls because their food was just fair.
(2)
Cara B.
I don't eat a lot of Viet Namese food because so few places exist in my residential area (West Chester), but I do like Le Saigon because it's quiet and comfortable and the pho soup is very nice. I usually get the roast pork or steak pho with a couple spring rolls. Lovely! The service is always prompt and courteous. If I become a bit more adventurous and try other items on their menu, I will update this review. But so far, so good. Thumbs up!
(4)
S L.
I like this place.. quite and good service.. but don't like the music.. looks like the CD has scratches and it repeats over and over one song.. I wanted to eat really fast and get out.. Taste: alright (I ordered pho for safe..I might try 'real dish' later..)
(3)
Phoenix L.
Way overpriced for what it is. The food is mediocre at best with portion sizes half of what they should be for the price. $9 for a kiddie sized portion of bland pho. My lemongrass beef had no lemongrass, instead, heaps of oily hoisin sauce with 4 small pieces of beef and overcooked vegetables. Service is slow, and oddly enough, showerheads for sale at the counter.... I'll give 1 star for the do-it-yourself spring roll that was the only saving grace, but it hardly made up for the rest.
(1)
Adam H.
I've been here for takeout twice, so this is a condensation of those visits. Dishes ordered were; Crispy Spring Rolls, BBQ'ed Meatball Skewer, Caramel Shrimp in their Clay Pot, Ha Long Bay Seafood Soup and one Phu with lean beef. Vietnamese Coffee was also ordered on one visit. First, they are adamant that this is French infused and essentially "high class" southern Vietnamese food. Little of the normal Vietnamese peasant fare which makes up the bulk of most American experience with Vietnamese food is on offer. (The Pho, in fact, was an off menu order, because the person who originally recommended this place said they would make it if you asked.) So picture what Diem, you know, before Kennedy threw him that little coup, was eating for his last supper. That's what they're going for here. The food is very well done, over all. Most meats are grilled over charcoal and are flavorful and juicy. Sauces and stocks tend to be complex and very well spiced (meaning with spices not chiles). Since this is southern Vietnamese the use of sweet spices, particularly Saigon cinnamon, is both readily apparent and to be expected. Seafood was fresh, well cooked and abundant. For less than 18 dollars the Ha Long Bay Soup included the compulsory Asian cut squid, several large (say U-18- 20) shrimp a few very small pieces of lobster (which was nice) and a couple of Diver size "Scallops" (though I think those were actually Skate cut with a ring mold). It includes plenty of fresh vegetables, has a complex and very pleasant (though not chile hot enough) stock and feeds two. That, to my way of thinking, is one hell of a deal. The meatballs, by the way, are the dish that all those places offering bogus "lettuce wrap" appetizers are copying. These are delicious flat rectangular hunks of ground beef, skewered, charbroiled, cut into bite sized pieces and served with lettuce, pickled carrot, lettuce, rice paper to wrap it and peanut sauce. And the peanut sauce is no grocery store peanut buttered, thinned and Asianed up. It's spicy, intense and not at all sweet. The Vietnamese Coffee is, well, Vietnamese Coffee. It's like iced coffee, but don't let that fool you. It's sinister. If you have a heart condition, here be monsters. The stuff is, like all good Vietnamese Coffee, exactly like Methamphetamine, only you'll lose slightly less teeth drinking the coffee. That's because they use sweetened condensed milk, which is about as sugary as caramel, to cream and sweeten it. So it's heady, dangerous and delicious. God love the Vietnamese. All to go orders are packed with noodles, protein and vegetables and stocks packed separate, so nothing overcooks. Which is a definite plus. All in all, if you're in the neighborhood; Go. One final and additional note; Le Saigon is BYOB. For the purists in the house allow me to recommend that you head to the Beer Yard in Wayne before heading over to Le Saigon for dinner. There you can pick up Beer "333" (pronounced "ba ba ba"), the pride of Da Nang for over a 110 years. The beer is kept at room temp. in the rear left the Beer Yard.
(4)
Eugene H.
What the deuce?? I've never been to a vietnamese place that doesn't serve pho!...or vietnamese food for that matter. Their 'special' vietnamese soup is actually just wonton soup with a some chicken in there. The broken rice dish which is also another staple of vietnamese food was closer to chinese food since the 'spring rolls' were more like a 'chicken roll' consistency that you get in dim sum. We also tried the pad thai noodles, which really was bland lo mein...but hey it works when you're hungry. Service is actually pretty good and the location is really convenient. I would say come here if you want to try a weird chinese version of 'vietnamese' food.
(2)
E A.
I have to say I'm surprised that there are not more reviews for this restaurant on the board, but then most people seem to go to Philly for their food. Hmmmm? I guess you might say this is a little hidden spot in the shopping center and easily missed if you do not know it is there. (Near Einstein Bagels, Bravo Pizza. In front of the Acme grocery store in the Paoli shopping center. To the far right of Boston Chicken). I like it here very much as it is QUIET, the food is good, the people are nice and so is the clientele. Bring your own bottle. They have lots of rice dishes that you can have with chicken, shrimp or beef. The same with noodles and the above C, S or B. Then you pour a sauce over it. The grilled shrimp are great. The Pad Thai my daughter tells me is nothing special here. It is a little dull and I'm getting tired of it- it could use more citric juice or something, a few more nuts on top, etc. (I had Pad Thai at the place on the corner in Media and I can now tell the difference. If I remembered the name of the place in Media I would recommend their Pad Thai much more.) But I do enjoy their deep fried sea bass with sauce on the side. It is one of their more expensive dishes at about $27? So compared to that the other dishes running about $15 and up are middle of the road I'd say. Lunch totals about $10-$15 a person. The dishes on special here tend to be just that. Special and prepared fresh. The people in the neighborhood all know about this restaurant and I find that we consider this place to be on our list of "make us feel right at home". You do not need to get dressed UP to go here. I would not consider this a place to bring the kiddies though you could I guess. I come here when I want to meet a friend for lunch or go out with another couple for dinner. In comparison I consider Nectar's to have good food on the whole (pick and chooses), but is extremely noisy, over crowded, overpriced and snobby. They think they are a city restaurant in the burbs. I can go to Philly for that. Hey you might like that? And besides, I remember when it was Pizza Hut.
(4)
Frank R.
Le Saigon is one of those places that when I go I say, "I should come here more often." The rice noodle bowls are super tasty with the jasmine sauce. The appetizers are also great...light and very good. Service is swift and helpful if you don't know what you want to order. I always walk out of there feeling good about the food and the price/value. Hey, I think I'll go there tomorrow night.
(5)
Jaci Y.
Everything I've had (vermicelli bowls, pho) has been decent for the Main Line. The vermicelli bowl was sadly low on fresh herbs, and the pho broth was not as flavorful as what you can find downtown on Washington Ave. I will go back, but only if I can't make it downtown.
(3)
Tom H.
I eat there for lunch a lot. Friendly service. Plenty of seats. Nothing fancy. Consistently delicious. I am no expert. I just like the food. And there's a great hardware store nearby. Eat food you don't understand; buy tools you didn't know existed. The perfect lunch.
(4)
Christopher R.
So while at work, my preceptor says to me "Lets order something different for lunch today!" I am always down for some different food so I said sure and we googled what restaurants were around us. We were both feeling Vietnamese so Le Saigon was chosen and we placed our order. I ordered the Golden Curry Chicken, it cost me $11.60. It was a decent amount of chicken, peppers, and onions but they made my preceptor and I share one quart of rice which definitely wasn't enough for both of us. I don't remember what my preceptor got but he seemed to enjoy it because it was gone quite fast. Overall, I feel that it Le Saigon's prices could be a little lower for the amount you get. Also, I picked up my food and brought it back and inside the bag there was nothing but our meals. No utensils, napkins, or anything of the sort. Aside from these few things though the food was good, not bad for an occasional Vietnamese craving.
(3)
Michael C.
Place was awful. Went in and my party was the only customers. Place smelled like moth balls. Portions were especially small, overpriced by 3-4$, and didn't taste all that great. The waiter was playing games on his I-touch the entire time and we had to go up to the counter to ask him for the checks. Will not ever go back.
(1)
Sarah K.
This is the worst Vietnamese restaurant ever. Dishes are over prices and Service was bad. Never going there again.
(1)
Molly G.
I do takeout here all the time. I love their spring rolls and snow rolls. The pad thai is good but not very exciting. Everything I've had is good. The service is quick and the staff is very pleasant.
(4)
Jack W.
trust me, don't waste your time and money to try it. it was the worst pho I ever had. the waitress was nice but the taste was terrible. BTW, here is no 0.5 star option, so I have to put 1 star for it.
(1)
Gwen G.
Best of the Main Line? Then I am afraid to eat in the other Main Line restaurants! I had lunch here and it was simply, inedible. First, I ordered the chicken coconut soup. I took one sip and thought my head would explode from the amount of salt in it. I sent it back immediately. The waiter offerred no apologies, no alternatives. Just picked it up and walked away. It didn't even taste like coconut. Just salt water. I then had the vegetarian spring roll on vermicelli. The noodles were dry and cold with about two tablespoons of sauce served on the side and the spring roll tasted like someone squirted a bottle of Glass Plus on it. It had the worst taste and smell you could imagine. I spit out my first bite and told the waiter to wrap it up. I took it outside and dumped it in the trash can. I couldn't believe how horible it tasted! I didn't want to send it back because it would have embarrassed me, but really.....
(1)
Steve B.
Excellent little place! I stopped here for lunch and was glad that I did! I had the crab & asparagus soup, tofu verimicelli. Both were excellent and fresh. We were served quckly and food was prompt and hot. Would definitely come back when in the area.
(4)
Casey R.
Stopped here for a quick lunch during the week while in area for work. Service was prompt and the food was tasty. I will say it was slightly more expensive then the Vietnamese I am used to getting in the city and I was disappointed to not find the usual condiments on the table to spice up my meal. That being said, the menu was clear and I ate the whole plate.
(3)
Andrew K.
Ugh. We bought a Groupon and tried them out. Wouldn't go back if it was free. My meal was edible with enough Sriracha, but my wife and son left hungry because they wouldn't eat their meals. Someone needs to open a good Vietnamese restaurant on the Main Line - this isn't it.
(1)
Tyler R.
Compared to Philadelphia, prices were higher than expected. The quality of the food was fine, and the portions were appropriate to slightly small for the price. I had the roast pork vermicelli and snow rolls. The pork was amazingly well cooked, and the rice + accompaniments were good. My girlfriend had the triple pho (three servings of beef). The broth was very nice, but the restaurant was not equipped with dishes and sauces that accompany pho in most restaurants. It's fine if you want Viet style food in the Paoli area. I might try Bamboo just up the street in Malvern.
(2)
Mary B.
I have been to Le Saigon many times over the past five years. Never outstanding but good, predictable Vietnamese which was convenient. I got takeout and in opening the containers noticed several very long black hairs in two of the containers. I brought the food back and pointed out what I found. The owner seemed very reluctant to admit they may have originated at the restaurant. (I am blond btw) I had to ask for a refund since he was not offering. Not only was finding hairs in my food nasty but the managers attitude was enough to prevent me from ever coming back. I will go to Bamboo the next time I have a craving for Vietnamese.
(1)
Scott L.
We like this place for the he Bun & four seasons roll. I love pho but wouldn't recommend getting it here. It's bland and very small portion.
(3)
Minh L.
Just got a bun thit nung to go, for the price, would have expect a little bit more in my box, vietnamese restaurant in Boston area fill completely the box and put the sauce outside of the box, not this one. And for the price. You don't have the hot sauce...
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Johm G.
The charbroiled meats on rice noodles are excellent, even better with the spring roll. The service is good too. A great place to eat!
(5)Stevchipmunk C.
Le Saigon is... meh (exactly as Yelp says 2 stars denotes). When we went there for dinner tonight, there were just 3 other customers in the restaurant. By the time we ordered, they had all left and no one came in by the time we finished at 8:30 pm. The tall man who was the only person on the service side of the restaurant acts as if customer service is not that important. The ambiance is very ordinary. The food -- which is the best part of the whole dining experience at Le Saigon -- is... very ordinary, and the portions are noteworthily small. And the prices are way, way too high for what you get. Overall, I can't imagine why I would ever going back there again.
(2)N. L.
Horrible service with bad food. The waiter, I suspect owner, told me they don't have hot water when I didn't order tea and asked for hot water. Really? Customers next table were madder than us! We finished the meal eating fake Vietnamese food bc we were in a hurry to go somewhere. Very unwise decision. Don't bother! Totally not worth it!
(1)Elsa E.
This was hands down the worst place ever. The food was tasteless, not authentic or fresh and just downright disgusting. Service was okay, but overall, I felt like I wasted money on food that made me sick to my stomach. I thought I was going to vomit on the way ride home because I could still taste the grossness in my mouth. I thought this would be my go-to place for Vietnamese good but definitely NOT. No thanks ever again!
(1)Holly A.
Well i guess its a good thing, there isn't a lot of competition on the mainline for vietnamese food because if there were - they would be in trouble. After reading the reviews, we decided to give this place a try. I grew up eating vietnamese food - so I know good, bad, and fair. SO far we ordered the beef and pork vermicelli. What can I say - super bland, barely any veggies - too many noodles. I don't have much incentive to go back. You can always tell if a vietnamese place is good by their vermicelli and their Pho Broth. But after this, I don't think i want to try it - I'll just make the drive to Upper Darby or the city. However it is a cute place.
(3)Karen F.
A solid 3 stars, maybe even 4 - food is very basic (possibly a little bland) but the spring rolls and bun were tasty and the traditional Vietnamese Coffee hit the spot on a cold day. grilled Lamb over bun was succulent and tasty - albeit a small portion and $12.95. Quick service got me in & out even on a busy Thursday lunch rush. Nearly every table was full - and this after years of being open is a great sign. Prices are higher than in Philly (Chinatown, Vietnam,m Vietnam Palace, Pho Cali) but considering where we are - I am beyond thrilled to have a non-pizza lunch alternative. Can't wait to go back and try the sumer rolls.
(3)Shannon A.
I've been to far too many Vietnamese restaurants to not know the difference between a good pho and bad. I guess I will admit that this is slightly bordering on the bad side. The pho tasted so bland that I got concerned whether I was actually having a cold that I was losing my taste buds. It was after checking out the reviews here that my fears were relieved. I didn't have the flu. They just had didn't have very good Pho. I did like their vermicelli, so I'm not all that disappointed. But then when you put a hefty price tag on top of a less than mediocre experience, you're sort of asking for trouble.
(3)Allison F.
This has been my favorite restaurant for years. Their spring rolls are amazing! I have never tried the Pho which have negative reviews on here. Their vermicelli dishes are something I look forward too. Surprised at the negative reviews.
(5)Gray S.
Came with my kids and a friend, my children were so thirsty. It took over 10 minutes for water, had it been sooner they would have been more content. The owner/ server neglected us and acted as though we did not exist. I'm appalled, having come alone with a different experience service wise . The choices for Vietnamese in the area are slim. My children are US born Vietnamese-American and love the ethnic food. I'm not sure if it was the kids or a male friend who he made stereotypical assumptions regarding. Needless to say now both times the Pho was unimpressive and the rest kind of followed. I will not be back. Shame, because it's close.
(1)Marlen K.
In the burbs of Philly this is as good as you can get to a cross between Vietnam and France. Their tofu eggplant is the best in the area.
(4)Rosalie R.
We went there for pho. The broth was very bland and the garnish plate did not include any of the fresh cilantro or Thai basil. Sigh. Still schlepping to center city for good soup...
(2)Carol J.
Had lunch today - the absolutely worst pad thai I have ever had!! Primarily noodles, minimal vegetables, sprouts, peanuts non-existent and the service was very poor - definitely will not be returning!!!
(1)J T.
I like this place. Good food and good service. I usually get the spring rolls, the pho, the whole fish on special, or the bahn mi or the pu pu platter. Everything is good. I would say it is too quiet in there. they should have some background music going. even filled, it's just way too quiet. Wish they would add some more items to their menu, it's been the same for a long time. One time they missed something on a take out order and the manager drove it right to my house and apologized. So service in my opinion is good.
(4)Richie F.
Food - 4+ Prices - 4+ Service - 4 Ambience - 3 Le Saigon offers high-quality, authentic Vietnamese cuisine with reasonable prices and good service. Located in a shopping center on Route 30 in Paoli, they've been in business for many years and seem to have a loyal local customer base. They do a brisk takeout business as well as a steady lunchtime crowd. Fresh ingredients and a quiet (perhaps too quiet), friendly setting make for a relaxed meal that won't set you back too much. BYOB is fine. I have tried several things on their menu, but favorites are Pad Thai with Chicken and Chicken with Lemon Grass. Nice selection of appetizers, too. I see some other diners have complained about the food being "bland", but if you ask, the owner is more than happy to accommodate any special requests for amping up the spices or adding ingredients that you may have in mind. Haven't had their pho and I know fellow Yelpers give that mixed reviews, so my overall 4-star rating is based on my experiences over the last several years with their classic menu items.
(4)Jackie D.
Looking for a good pho place a little closer to home, I gave this place two tries. Both times, the broth brought to mind the word "dishwater". Needless to say, I will not be returning.
(1)Kate L.
They need to up their game. With so many very good Vietnamese restaurants available, why would I bother to eat this mediocre fare ever again? The summer rolls (called snow rolls here) were light on the fresh and aromatic herbs that make these a delight elsewhere. Same criticism for the vermicelli noodles with sautéed shrimp. Service was indifferent.
(1)Heidi T.
I've been here twice for lunch and really like their rice vermicelli special w lemon grass. It's great summer fare at a good price for the area. Service was fine and they have a nice menu. I liked it better than other local Vietnamese restaurants.
(4)Amina F.
Had a great lunch at Le Saigon. Tasty Pho, grilled beef with lemongrass and a nice strong and sweet Vietnamese iced tea. Nice quiet atmosphere, a clean and cozy restaurant!
(4)Steve S.
There should be additional Yelp designations, such as "It's good for a strip mall on the Main Line" or "It's good enough for Downtown Philadelphia". Believe me, it would set the proper expectations. You have to come here with your "strip mall on the Main Line" set of expectations, however you choose those expectations to be. I've seen complaints here about the prices. I decided to go for a chicken curry lunch special for $7.95 which may not be the most authentic thing on the menu, but it's the most reasonable, which really means it's just overpriced by $2. Flavor-wise it was good. The curry had a nice kick. The portions were just right. The chicken noodle soup was just good enough to not be totally bland. I did enjoy the iced coffee splurge I took on at the end. Good coffee kick in that drink, and at $3.50, again, it was overpriced by about $2. I wouldn't tell you to go out of your way for this place, but it's good enough for a change of pace.
(3)Samantha A.
Great find!! The food was really good and fresh! The sweet and sour fish soup reminded me of mom's :) the green papaya salad was to die for! Hubby loved the lemongrass chicken vermicelli bowl! Can't wait to try the dessert!
(5)Leon B.
Really good red curry chicken, perfect amount of spice. Very cozy place friendly staff
(4)Dave H.
Le Saigon is a quality Vietnamese BYOB on the Main Line. (Not into Vietnamese cuisine? Try their Thai dishes.) Their dining room is comfortable, well-decorated, and has decent seating, so don't be afraid to bring friends. Ha, our server, took our orders with a minimum of fuss - less than 10 minutes later, she brought out our food! Talk about speedy. I had their charbroiled pork on steamed rice (C2 on the menu, com thit nuong; $7.95). The serving was smaller than I expected, and the fish sauce a bit tart, but the tender, delicious pork left me satisfied. Rice was cooked right, and the side of pickles was perfect. Le Saigon provides fast, friendly service, an even faster kitchen, and prices that won't break the bank. If you're out in the suburbs, stop in!
(4)Jerrell A.
I really enjoy the food here. The prices weren't too bad for fresh food. If you are addicted to pho, like me, please give this place a try. The broth was so flavorful that I did not need the usual array of sauces (which this place does lack). My only complaint is the location as I am not a fan of strip mall joints. Great chicken wings, outstanding Spring and Summer rolls, plus a damn good jasmine tea. It's worth a visit if you're in the area and would like to try something new.
(4)Kevin P.
I was disappointed with the food quality. I've been here twice and realized that the dishes were not authentic Vietnamese. The Pho flavor was wrong. The other rice dishes were more like Thai. Many of the appetizers were more Chinese-influenced. Overall, I didn't like it...
(2)Ronnie D.
Excellent value, flavorful but not overly seasoned, light fare as well, good service, high quality fare which is rare for a reasonably priced asian/fusion place in this area.
(5)Percy N.
After reading the other reviews, I had a little trepidation but had a good experience here. There aren't too many places serving Vietnamese cuisine around the main line. The vermicelli bowl came with a spring roll and both were delicious. I decided to go with a fusion dish of spicy shrimp lemongrass soup with vermicelli noodles. Shrimp portion was generous and were perfectly cooked. Some reviewers complain about the price, but the place I usually go to in Norristown charges even more. $8-$10 for a lunch menu is about what one would expect to pay. And what made me give them an additional star is the fact that they are the only place outside Philly where I can get a Banh-mi. Most bahn-mi were $6.95 Wish the Vietnamese coffee came with the authentic coffee filter and a small pot of hot water. Next time will try one of their desserts.
(4)Vin D.
Big Fan here. Great Pho and other spicy soups. Clean and good service as well.
(4)Danan R.
They finally have pho! But I was in a charbroiled pork chop mood. The pork was very tender and moist although the seasoning is a bt different from nam phuong's. The broken rice was perfect and the meatball skewers app was great. Prices reflect the area so although they might be high for Philadelphia, they are actually relatively low for the main line. About $8 for platters, $6 for banh mi, ad $10+ for entrees.
(3)Brian R.
I was surprised to find this place in a strip mall, but the inside is actually quite nice. Come to think of it, this place is one of the nicer looking Viet restaurants I've ever been to. Foodwise, I enjoyed the Bun Thit Nuong. Portions were city sized (on the smaller side), sauce was decent, and the noodles were tasty.
(3)Kim N.
I have high expectations since I grew up eating home-cooked Vietnamese food and for the past few months, I've been living in Hanoi. I was in the mood for a bowl of pho and my dad didn't want to stop off in Chinatown after picking me up from the airport, so we opted to stop here since it was close to their house. I got a bowl of the rare beef and meatball pho to go while my dad opted to try their asparagus and crab soup. Total for the two items, $16. Yikes! (A bowl of pho in Hanoi is about $1; a bowl of pho in D.C. is $6 - $8. They were charging $10 for theirs) The broth was okay, a tad salty, but when I added bean sprouts to the broth, it evened out. The broth lacked the subtle aromatic flavor that I'm accustomed to in a bowl of pho. The noodles were a bit chewy, and the meat was a bit on the tough side.
(2)David K.
I had an appointment in Paoli and felt like Vietnamese for lunch and found Le Saigon in the Paoli Shopping Center. It wasn't so great. First, it was amazing how strange the service was during lunch. When I arrived, I was one of two tables. I sat myself after being ignored for 30 seconds. I asked the waiter what was a "Must try" dish and he responded "Take your time, I'll be back soon." OK!?? Later, my server disappeared and I flagged down the owner to order another dish and later to pay my bill. After he left my bill, I waited 5+ minutes for him to collect it and ultimately went to the register to hand it to him. Keep in mind that the restaurant was practically empty. I ordered the Grilled Chicken and Springroll Rice Vermicelli bowl. Total disappointment, especially after trying this exact dish at Pho and Beyond in Willow Grove (the infamous #38 dish). The portion was about half the size of the one from Willow Grove. Aside from the vermicelli noodles and the promised chicken and spring roll, it was sparse on all other ingredients. What makes this dish so great at Pho and Beyond in Willow Grove is the generous amounts of fresh herbs, nuts, sprouts, thinly-curled veggies, a good amount of lettuce and a lot more meat. For the patron who can't decide between hot and cold or salad vs. rice noodle dish, #38 from Pho and Beyond satisfies everyone. Because my first dish was so un-filling, I ordered Snow Rolls. Snow Rolls, often called summer rolls at other Vietnamese restaurants, are the quintessential (US) Vietnamese appetizer. These were pretty darn bad. Wrapped in the softened rice wrapper was 99% vermicelli noodles, a super-thin piece of shrimp, two shreds of lettuce and a curious squirt of something brown (soy sauce?). The peanut dipping sauce was good. I really wanted these rolls to be something other than the previous dish and unfortunately it was just a ton of vermicelli noodles. I got burned out on eating wrapped, white noodles and didn't finish my dish. It shocked me to see so many awards and recognitions on their walls because their food was just fair.
(2)Cara B.
I don't eat a lot of Viet Namese food because so few places exist in my residential area (West Chester), but I do like Le Saigon because it's quiet and comfortable and the pho soup is very nice. I usually get the roast pork or steak pho with a couple spring rolls. Lovely! The service is always prompt and courteous. If I become a bit more adventurous and try other items on their menu, I will update this review. But so far, so good. Thumbs up!
(4)S L.
I like this place.. quite and good service.. but don't like the music.. looks like the CD has scratches and it repeats over and over one song.. I wanted to eat really fast and get out.. Taste: alright (I ordered pho for safe..I might try 'real dish' later..)
(3)Phoenix L.
Way overpriced for what it is. The food is mediocre at best with portion sizes half of what they should be for the price. $9 for a kiddie sized portion of bland pho. My lemongrass beef had no lemongrass, instead, heaps of oily hoisin sauce with 4 small pieces of beef and overcooked vegetables. Service is slow, and oddly enough, showerheads for sale at the counter.... I'll give 1 star for the do-it-yourself spring roll that was the only saving grace, but it hardly made up for the rest.
(1)Adam H.
I've been here for takeout twice, so this is a condensation of those visits. Dishes ordered were; Crispy Spring Rolls, BBQ'ed Meatball Skewer, Caramel Shrimp in their Clay Pot, Ha Long Bay Seafood Soup and one Phu with lean beef. Vietnamese Coffee was also ordered on one visit. First, they are adamant that this is French infused and essentially "high class" southern Vietnamese food. Little of the normal Vietnamese peasant fare which makes up the bulk of most American experience with Vietnamese food is on offer. (The Pho, in fact, was an off menu order, because the person who originally recommended this place said they would make it if you asked.) So picture what Diem, you know, before Kennedy threw him that little coup, was eating for his last supper. That's what they're going for here. The food is very well done, over all. Most meats are grilled over charcoal and are flavorful and juicy. Sauces and stocks tend to be complex and very well spiced (meaning with spices not chiles). Since this is southern Vietnamese the use of sweet spices, particularly Saigon cinnamon, is both readily apparent and to be expected. Seafood was fresh, well cooked and abundant. For less than 18 dollars the Ha Long Bay Soup included the compulsory Asian cut squid, several large (say U-18- 20) shrimp a few very small pieces of lobster (which was nice) and a couple of Diver size "Scallops" (though I think those were actually Skate cut with a ring mold). It includes plenty of fresh vegetables, has a complex and very pleasant (though not chile hot enough) stock and feeds two. That, to my way of thinking, is one hell of a deal. The meatballs, by the way, are the dish that all those places offering bogus "lettuce wrap" appetizers are copying. These are delicious flat rectangular hunks of ground beef, skewered, charbroiled, cut into bite sized pieces and served with lettuce, pickled carrot, lettuce, rice paper to wrap it and peanut sauce. And the peanut sauce is no grocery store peanut buttered, thinned and Asianed up. It's spicy, intense and not at all sweet. The Vietnamese Coffee is, well, Vietnamese Coffee. It's like iced coffee, but don't let that fool you. It's sinister. If you have a heart condition, here be monsters. The stuff is, like all good Vietnamese Coffee, exactly like Methamphetamine, only you'll lose slightly less teeth drinking the coffee. That's because they use sweetened condensed milk, which is about as sugary as caramel, to cream and sweeten it. So it's heady, dangerous and delicious. God love the Vietnamese. All to go orders are packed with noodles, protein and vegetables and stocks packed separate, so nothing overcooks. Which is a definite plus. All in all, if you're in the neighborhood; Go. One final and additional note; Le Saigon is BYOB. For the purists in the house allow me to recommend that you head to the Beer Yard in Wayne before heading over to Le Saigon for dinner. There you can pick up Beer "333" (pronounced "ba ba ba"), the pride of Da Nang for over a 110 years. The beer is kept at room temp. in the rear left the Beer Yard.
(4)Eugene H.
What the deuce?? I've never been to a vietnamese place that doesn't serve pho!...or vietnamese food for that matter. Their 'special' vietnamese soup is actually just wonton soup with a some chicken in there. The broken rice dish which is also another staple of vietnamese food was closer to chinese food since the 'spring rolls' were more like a 'chicken roll' consistency that you get in dim sum. We also tried the pad thai noodles, which really was bland lo mein...but hey it works when you're hungry. Service is actually pretty good and the location is really convenient. I would say come here if you want to try a weird chinese version of 'vietnamese' food.
(2)E A.
I have to say I'm surprised that there are not more reviews for this restaurant on the board, but then most people seem to go to Philly for their food. Hmmmm? I guess you might say this is a little hidden spot in the shopping center and easily missed if you do not know it is there. (Near Einstein Bagels, Bravo Pizza. In front of the Acme grocery store in the Paoli shopping center. To the far right of Boston Chicken). I like it here very much as it is QUIET, the food is good, the people are nice and so is the clientele. Bring your own bottle. They have lots of rice dishes that you can have with chicken, shrimp or beef. The same with noodles and the above C, S or B. Then you pour a sauce over it. The grilled shrimp are great. The Pad Thai my daughter tells me is nothing special here. It is a little dull and I'm getting tired of it- it could use more citric juice or something, a few more nuts on top, etc. (I had Pad Thai at the place on the corner in Media and I can now tell the difference. If I remembered the name of the place in Media I would recommend their Pad Thai much more.) But I do enjoy their deep fried sea bass with sauce on the side. It is one of their more expensive dishes at about $27? So compared to that the other dishes running about $15 and up are middle of the road I'd say. Lunch totals about $10-$15 a person. The dishes on special here tend to be just that. Special and prepared fresh. The people in the neighborhood all know about this restaurant and I find that we consider this place to be on our list of "make us feel right at home". You do not need to get dressed UP to go here. I would not consider this a place to bring the kiddies though you could I guess. I come here when I want to meet a friend for lunch or go out with another couple for dinner. In comparison I consider Nectar's to have good food on the whole (pick and chooses), but is extremely noisy, over crowded, overpriced and snobby. They think they are a city restaurant in the burbs. I can go to Philly for that. Hey you might like that? And besides, I remember when it was Pizza Hut.
(4)Frank R.
Le Saigon is one of those places that when I go I say, "I should come here more often." The rice noodle bowls are super tasty with the jasmine sauce. The appetizers are also great...light and very good. Service is swift and helpful if you don't know what you want to order. I always walk out of there feeling good about the food and the price/value. Hey, I think I'll go there tomorrow night.
(5)Jaci Y.
Everything I've had (vermicelli bowls, pho) has been decent for the Main Line. The vermicelli bowl was sadly low on fresh herbs, and the pho broth was not as flavorful as what you can find downtown on Washington Ave. I will go back, but only if I can't make it downtown.
(3)Tom H.
I eat there for lunch a lot. Friendly service. Plenty of seats. Nothing fancy. Consistently delicious. I am no expert. I just like the food. And there's a great hardware store nearby. Eat food you don't understand; buy tools you didn't know existed. The perfect lunch.
(4)Christopher R.
So while at work, my preceptor says to me "Lets order something different for lunch today!" I am always down for some different food so I said sure and we googled what restaurants were around us. We were both feeling Vietnamese so Le Saigon was chosen and we placed our order. I ordered the Golden Curry Chicken, it cost me $11.60. It was a decent amount of chicken, peppers, and onions but they made my preceptor and I share one quart of rice which definitely wasn't enough for both of us. I don't remember what my preceptor got but he seemed to enjoy it because it was gone quite fast. Overall, I feel that it Le Saigon's prices could be a little lower for the amount you get. Also, I picked up my food and brought it back and inside the bag there was nothing but our meals. No utensils, napkins, or anything of the sort. Aside from these few things though the food was good, not bad for an occasional Vietnamese craving.
(3)Michael C.
Place was awful. Went in and my party was the only customers. Place smelled like moth balls. Portions were especially small, overpriced by 3-4$, and didn't taste all that great. The waiter was playing games on his I-touch the entire time and we had to go up to the counter to ask him for the checks. Will not ever go back.
(1)Sarah K.
This is the worst Vietnamese restaurant ever. Dishes are over prices and Service was bad. Never going there again.
(1)Molly G.
I do takeout here all the time. I love their spring rolls and snow rolls. The pad thai is good but not very exciting. Everything I've had is good. The service is quick and the staff is very pleasant.
(4)Jack W.
trust me, don't waste your time and money to try it. it was the worst pho I ever had. the waitress was nice but the taste was terrible. BTW, here is no 0.5 star option, so I have to put 1 star for it.
(1)Gwen G.
Best of the Main Line? Then I am afraid to eat in the other Main Line restaurants! I had lunch here and it was simply, inedible. First, I ordered the chicken coconut soup. I took one sip and thought my head would explode from the amount of salt in it. I sent it back immediately. The waiter offerred no apologies, no alternatives. Just picked it up and walked away. It didn't even taste like coconut. Just salt water. I then had the vegetarian spring roll on vermicelli. The noodles were dry and cold with about two tablespoons of sauce served on the side and the spring roll tasted like someone squirted a bottle of Glass Plus on it. It had the worst taste and smell you could imagine. I spit out my first bite and told the waiter to wrap it up. I took it outside and dumped it in the trash can. I couldn't believe how horible it tasted! I didn't want to send it back because it would have embarrassed me, but really.....
(1)Steve B.
Excellent little place! I stopped here for lunch and was glad that I did! I had the crab & asparagus soup, tofu verimicelli. Both were excellent and fresh. We were served quckly and food was prompt and hot. Would definitely come back when in the area.
(4)Casey R.
Stopped here for a quick lunch during the week while in area for work. Service was prompt and the food was tasty. I will say it was slightly more expensive then the Vietnamese I am used to getting in the city and I was disappointed to not find the usual condiments on the table to spice up my meal. That being said, the menu was clear and I ate the whole plate.
(3)Andrew K.
Ugh. We bought a Groupon and tried them out. Wouldn't go back if it was free. My meal was edible with enough Sriracha, but my wife and son left hungry because they wouldn't eat their meals. Someone needs to open a good Vietnamese restaurant on the Main Line - this isn't it.
(1)Tyler R.
Compared to Philadelphia, prices were higher than expected. The quality of the food was fine, and the portions were appropriate to slightly small for the price. I had the roast pork vermicelli and snow rolls. The pork was amazingly well cooked, and the rice + accompaniments were good. My girlfriend had the triple pho (three servings of beef). The broth was very nice, but the restaurant was not equipped with dishes and sauces that accompany pho in most restaurants. It's fine if you want Viet style food in the Paoli area. I might try Bamboo just up the street in Malvern.
(2)Mary B.
I have been to Le Saigon many times over the past five years. Never outstanding but good, predictable Vietnamese which was convenient. I got takeout and in opening the containers noticed several very long black hairs in two of the containers. I brought the food back and pointed out what I found. The owner seemed very reluctant to admit they may have originated at the restaurant. (I am blond btw) I had to ask for a refund since he was not offering. Not only was finding hairs in my food nasty but the managers attitude was enough to prevent me from ever coming back. I will go to Bamboo the next time I have a craving for Vietnamese.
(1)Scott L.
We like this place for the he Bun & four seasons roll. I love pho but wouldn't recommend getting it here. It's bland and very small portion.
(3)Minh L.
Just got a bun thit nung to go, for the price, would have expect a little bit more in my box, vietnamese restaurant in Boston area fill completely the box and put the sauce outside of the box, not this one. And for the price. You don't have the hot sauce...
(3)